Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Mets Rumors: Can the Mets Trade for Matt Kemp?

Mets Rumors:

According to Sports Illustrated's Tom Verducci, Five teams have emerged as the most serious suitors for Los Angeles Dodgers centerfielder Matt Kemp. The Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and two unidentified National League teams have been mentioned, could one of them be the New York Mets?

The Dodgers are looking for prospects especially at third base which currently they do not have. The Mets can offer Daniel Murphy and/or Wilmer Flores both who would fit the criteria for them. The Mets might have to depart with Pitching Prospect Rafael Montero in order to get it done..

The Seattle Mariners have been rumored, but they also have connections to Rays Starter David Price who is also on the trading block. The Red Sox say they have interest, but they are content with their outfield and do not expect to make a splash with Kemp. The Tigers don't appear to add more payroll at this point with the subtraction to Prince Fielder, that gave them some financial flexibility.. That could leave the two NL Teams, which one I think is the Padres with 3B Chase Headley and the Mets who have Murphy and Flores to offer (just speculation).

Kemp is beginning to recover from his ankle and shoulder injuries. He recently shed the walking boot he had been using for the left ankle that was surgically repaired in October. He has begun upper body workouts, which he had been unable to do before last season until January. He underwent a procedure on his left shoulder in October prior to the ankle surgery. The Dodgers expect Kemp to be ready for spring training and right now expect him to be in their outfield along with Ethier, Crawford, and Puig in some capacity.

Clubs have pursued Kemp with the idea that Los Angeles would kick in some of the $128 million owed to Kemp over the next six years.

Kemp played just 106 games in 2012 and only 73 last year, batting .270 with six home runs. He did not appear in the postseason as the NL West champion Dodgers reached the NLCS before losing in six games to the Cardinals.